Actuation Lab Reviews

3.0

21% would recommend to a friend

(4 total reviews)

21% positive business outlook

Reviews by job title

4 reviews
2.0
17 July 2025

Cool Concept. Poor Management

Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting engineering /mechanical product design

Cons

This is possibly the worst run company I have ever worked for. The management are terrible, CEO is a bully, they give power to the most inexperienced people who have no idea on what they are doing, they accept bullying in the office, and do nothing, and if someone speaks out of turn coincidently they are “made redundant” - they have accepted lots of money and made nothing, laying 8 of us off recently

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Actuation Lab Response
8mo
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I take any concerns about behaviour and culture very seriously, especially when they involve me directly however, I do not recognise the situation you’ve described, and we do not have any internal record relating to these incidents. I do want to be clear that bullying has no place in our organisation and goes against the values we work hard to uphold. We are committed to fostering a respectful and supportive environment for all colleagues. If you ever felt otherwise, I regret that, and I would always encourage you to raise them directly at the time, confidentially with a member of our Leadership Team so they can be properly addressed. If you would like to discuss this further, then please do reach out to a member of the Leadership Team directly. I remain committed to listening and learning, and I wish you the best in your future endeavours. Yours sincerely, Simon Bates CEO, Actuation Lab
4.0
1 Apr 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting engineering, freedom generally to tackle problems how you like.

Cons

Minimal support from management, poor leadership, funding problems.

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Actuation Lab Response
8mo
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. We are pleased to understand that you felt you were given the freedom to tackle problems without being micro-managed in your approach. We trust our employees, and believe one of the core ways we move fast is to learn from different perspectives and approaches within the team. At the same time, we recognise that balancing autonomy with adequate support is crucial, and we are actively working to ensure everyone feels supported by developing a robust management structure, while retaining the independence that fosters innovation. Ensuring a company is well funded while tackling important technical breakthroughs is one of the biggest challenges a startup will face, and we are continually exploring opportunities to strengthen our financial position and support ongoing innovation. We are pleased to have recently closed and investment round, been awarded a significant R&D grant and have some key contracts on the horizon. Warm regards, Simon Bates CEO, Actuation Lab
5.0
18 Jan 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Why I joined: I joined Actuation Lab because of the company’s eco-friendly aims (reducing emissions in industry). Workload: The deadlines are generally reasonable, and it’s also very lovely to be thanked for my work – employees are not taken for granted. On average, my workload is reasonable (with some periods being busier than others). I appreciate seeing directly how my work is benefitting my colleagues and the company in general. Company processes: Some of the company’s policies and processes are still a work in progress, which may seem confusing at first, but the admin team is striving to get more and more things in place as the company is evolving and expanding. It’s a steep learning curve for a start-up! Company culture: I was pleasantly surprised by how every employee always takes the time to explain things to other team members who have a different skill set. This means I’m never afraid to ask questions! CPD is encouraged at Actuation Lab, with training opportunities. The company aims for more diversity in its workforce, but that’s a work in progress. Everyone’s input is appreciated, as long as it’s constructive, so you can speak your mind (respectfully of course). Caring for every team member, as a human being, is one of the big values of the company, so support is offered to employees who are going through a hard time, whether physically or mentally. Socialising together is a big part of the company culture – fun team-building activities are organised several times a year, and achievements are often celebrated with food & drinks. Final words: I can say that I’m proud to contribute to the success of the company and I'm happy that my work is being valued.

Cons

Nothing that would put me off working there. Things that can be improved are being worked on.

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Actuation Lab Response
8mo
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review. It means a lot to hear that our mission and culture resonate with you. We're proud to foster a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to grow. We appreciate your feedback on our evolving processes and diversity efforts. As a small but ambitious company, we’re actively working to improve here, and this is reflected in our recruitment policies, workshops, and open discussions with the team. Please continue sharing your thoughts as we grow, our employees’ voices are essential to shape a company where people feel valued and excited to work. Warm regards, Simon Bates CEO, Actuation Lab
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